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Topic: Keeping Intonation While Singing |
Frank Agliata
From:
Jersey Shore, USA
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Posted 4 Nov 2016 11:03 am |
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I've recently started playing with a new group, on guitar and pedal steel. It has been brought to my attention that my PSG intonation suffers a bit when I'm doing my background singing part. Now I am an experienced guitarist/bassist and have no problem playing and singing otherwise. But I guess, still being pretty much a novice on the steel, it is challenging to focus on my playing and adequately sing a harmony line as well. I'm sure given enough repetition, I will eventually get the hang of this, but in the meantime it's a cause of concern to my band mates.
I am appealing to my experienced and knowledgable forum friends for any advice or tips they may have to get me past this . . 
_________________
GFI Expo X1, Melbert 8, Rukavina 6
always learning |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 4 Nov 2016 11:30 am
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If you can succeed in this, you are a better man than me! I find it almost impossible to sing while playing a steel guitar.
But then, I have trouble walking and chewing gum at the same time!  |
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Skip Edwards
From:
LA,CA
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Posted 4 Nov 2016 1:05 pm
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I'm not a singer, so I can't speak from experience, but I have worked with those who play steel and sing, and do it very well.
The solution seems to be deceptively simple.
Don't play while you're singing, and don't sing while you're playing. |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 4 Nov 2016 1:47 pm Re: Keeping Intonation While Singing
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| Frank Agliata wrote: |
It has been brought to my attention that my PSG intonation suffers a bit when I'm doing my background singing part...But I guess, still being pretty much a novice on the steel, it is challenging to focus on my playing and adequately sing a harmony line as well. I'm sure given enough repetition, I will eventually get the hang of this, but in the meantime it's a cause of concern to my band mates.
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Do one or the other. While there are a very few that could pull this off (Buddy Emmons and Mark Bright come to mind), there are many more (myself included) that try, and wind up with the steel playing, the singing, and the audience...all suffering. I know players who have told me "Such-and-such does a great job singing and playing pedal steel at the same time!" And I just try to smile and be nice.  (I"m trying to get over being called "brutally honest".)  |
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Barry Blackwood
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Posted 4 Nov 2016 2:09 pm
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| Don't play while you're singing, and don't sing while you're playing. |
What Skip says.. |
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John Booth
From:
Columbus Ohio, USA
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Posted 4 Nov 2016 2:58 pm
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I dunno guys, I had a problem with this initially and got over it pretty well.
Main thing is don't experiment on the steel while you're singing. Just play very familiar stuff while singing. It'll get better like everything else
Jb
_________________
Jb in Ohio
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GFI S10 Ultra, Telecaster, a Hound Dog, and an Annoyed Wife
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Allan Haley
From:
British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 4 Nov 2016 4:08 pm
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| I can't sing when I'm trying to play steel. I can only do three things at once. |
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Ben Lawson
From:
Brooksville Florida
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Posted 4 Nov 2016 4:29 pm
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| I used to be able to sing and play together but I don't sing much anymore. If I may boast just a bit, at one of the Larry Self steel shows in Debary Fl. the great Herby Wallace complimented me when I sang while playing "Night Life". He told me I hit the right notes singing and played all the steel fills while singing. That made my day. That was in the early 90's when I was playing seven nights a week between Church Street Station in Orlando and The Barn in Sanford Fl. It ain't happening anymore. Okay I'm done patting myself on the back. |
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Frank Agliata
From:
Jersey Shore, USA
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Posted 4 Nov 2016 4:53 pm
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Thanks for the input fella's. Yes, I may be biting off more than I can chew. But I'm not playing anything too complicated. Usually just chord changes with simple fills.
I believe I will eventually get comfortable enough with it to make it work. But still, I don't wan't to embarrass myself or the band when we play out. The steel is a beautiful instrument, but very unforgiving if you don't get it spot on. 
_________________
GFI Expo X1, Melbert 8, Rukavina 6
always learning |
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Storm Rosson
From:
Silver City, NM. USA
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Posted 4 Nov 2016 5:36 pm
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| I don't know if anyone knows Billy Poteet but he is a chosen one too. Played an Emmons and sang like Ray Price's doppelganger, I mean Billy is as awesome playing psg as he is a vocalist. I know some guys on here know Billy cause they asked if I knew him...maybe someone will chime in...Stormy |
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Don Barnhardt
From:
North Carolina, USA
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Posted 4 Nov 2016 5:40 pm
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| When you're actually singing just comp (chop chords etc.) It's damn near impossible play precisely and sing at the same time. |
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Scott Duckworth
From:
Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies
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Posted 4 Nov 2016 5:43 pm
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| Don Barnhardt wrote: |
| When you're actually singing just comp (chop chords etc.) It's damn near impossible play precisely and sing at the same time. |
That's what I did last year while playing Christmas music...
_________________
Amateur Radio Operator NA4IT (Extra)
http://www.qsl.net/na4it
I may, in fact, be nuts. However, I am screwed onto the right bolt... Jesus! |
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Glenn Demichele
From:
(20mi N of) Chicago Illinois, USA
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Posted 4 Nov 2016 7:11 pm
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I can do both, my rule: never move my bar and mouth at the same time:
_________________
Franklin D10 8&5, Excel D10 8&5. Both amazing guitars! Homemade buffer/overdrive with adjustable 700Hz "Fender" scoop., Moyo pedal, GT-001 effects, 2x TDA7294 80W class AB amps, or 2x BAM200 for stereo. TT12 and BW1501 each in its own closed back wedge. Also NV400 etc. etc... |
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Bryan Bradfield
From:
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
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Posted 7 Nov 2016 2:54 pm
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A big part of the problem is that both the voice and the steel are non-fretted instruments. If one of them drifts from A440, the other will probably follow.
A good example of this occurred when I participated as a dobroist on a recording, and a session fiddler was called in after I laid down my part. He requested that any unfretted instrument parts be muted while he added fiddle.
The message related to this thread is that trying to control two non-fretted instruments is asking for disaster. |
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Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
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Posted 7 Nov 2016 3:58 pm
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| I prefer to sing Giddy up Go in A so I can use only open strings on the steel. |
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Rick Stratton
From:
Tujunga, California, USA
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Posted 7 Nov 2016 6:39 pm
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And you do that song so well Mr. Bovine!
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Jackson Pro-IV D-10, Fender Dual-Pro 8, Epiphone Zephyr-6 |
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